Ian Wright flies home after burglary

Former England international Ian Wright is flying home from Brazil after his wife and children were burgled at knifepoint.

Four men armed with knives made their way into his north-west London home and held his wife and children before making off with personal possessions.

The 50-year-old pundit, who has been working for ITV at the World Cup, tweeted on Wednesday night: "You won't get away with it."

You won't get away with it!

- Ian Wright (@IanWright0) June 18, 2014A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We are investigating an aggravated burglary at an address in north-west London after we were called at 9.20p.m. BST last night [Wednesday].

"Personal possessions were stolen. The suspects are described as four black men aged between 18 and 25, with London accents, wearing dark clothing and hoodies obscuring their faces."

The former Arsenal striker travelled back from the World Cup after learning the gang had held a blade to his wife Nancy's throat, The Sun reported.

Wright's manager Steve Kutner told the newspaper: "It was a terrifying ordeal. They marched Ian's wife from room to room.

"I would like to thank ITV for helping Ian to get home as quickly as possible."

ITV later confirmed that Wright had left Brazil and would be replaced on Thursday night's broadcast by Gus Poyet.

"Ian travelled home immediately to be with his family on hearing this shocking news. Our thoughts and best wishes are with them," a statement from ITV read.

The robbery at Wright's property was the latest in a string of raids on the homes of famous footballers in recent years.

Watford midfielder Alexander Merkel was robbed on the doorstep of his home in Hampstead, west London, by a gang who tried to batter down his front door with mopeds last month.

Wigan player James McArthur had his FA Cup winner's medal stolen in a burglary at his home along with two wedding rings.

Swansea head coach and former player Garry Monk was burgled in November last year while he underwent knee surgery.

A number of Merseyside footballers have also been targeted, including Everton and England defender Phil Jagielka, who was robbed at knifepoint at his Cheshire home in 2009.

The homes of England captain Steven Gerrard and then-Liverpool players Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt were also raided.

In 2005, former Bolton defender Mark Fish was tied up and robbed after his home appeared on TV show Footballers' Cribs. He was the second victim of raiders following an appearance on the MTV show after former England goalkeeper Ian Walker was also targeted.